Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested the US assist Vietnam inpromoting the rapid, sustainable and modern development of agriculture thatmatches Vietnam’s conditions.
Duringa reception in Hanoi on April 19 for US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack,PM Chinh sought the US’s support in building an ecological agriculture, modernrural areas and civilised farmers while improving the added value ofagricultural products to bring benefits to consumers and the two economies, thuscontributing to the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.
In its overall foreign policy, Vietnam always considers theUS one of its top important partners, and backs the strengthening of friendly cooperationin various fields, with agriculture being an important area, he said, addingthat Vietnam is ready to continue deepening ties with the US in an effectiveand substantial manner on the basis of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty,territorial integrity and political regime of each other, matching theinterests of their people and contributing to peace, stability,cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The PM suggested the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development and the US Department of Agriculture further strengthen cooperationto diversify products and supply chains.
He urged the US to further open its market for Vietnamese farm produce,complete necessary procedures to open the market for Vietnamese products suchas coconut and passion fruit; support the establishment of irradiationfacilities in northern Vietnam to facilitate the export of fruits such as lychee,mango, pomelo, and dragon fruit; limit the use of unnecessary technical barriers andtools in agricultural trade with Vietnam; assist Vietnam in planning anddeveloping raw material areas and meeting US standards for food safety andhygiene.
Furthermore, Vietnam encourages strong and diversifiedinvestment by US businesses in agriculture in the country, he said, addingthat Vietnam is willing to open up its market and increase imports of several agriculturalproducts from the US.
The Vietnamese leader also proposed that the US Department ofAgriculture strengthen coordination and assist Vietnam in green transition,climate change response, technological transfer, digital transformation inagriculture, disease control as well as research and production of vaccines, fertilisersand animal feed, increase scholarships and workforce training in agriculture.
According to him, carryingforward the Vietnam-US agricultural cooperation will step up the consumption offarm produce, create jobs and livelihoods for farmers, especially those in remote areas and affected by Agent Orange during the past war, and strong impacts ofclimate change, especially in the Mekong Delta.
Vilsack, for his part, said it is the third time he has visited Vietnam, and each time hewitnessed the strong development of the country as well as bilateral ties.
He affirmed that the US wants to beef up ties with Vietnam,especially in trade. He called on both sides to continue learning from eachother's experience in agricultural development, particularly smart agricultureand climate change adaptation.
The guest pledged to workwith the two countries’ relevant agencies to nurture cooperation in areas suggestedby the Vietnamese PM, including setting up irradiation facilities in northernVietnam, thus meeting the demands of the US and other markets, and expandingthe market for their farm produce./.
